Eldred receives update from Alpine Rose

Friday, March 9, 2012

By LINDA KOEHLER lkoehler@tnonline.com

Eldred Township board of supervisors received an Alpine Rose update letter from Emil W. Kantra II of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, who represents Alpine Rose Resort, Inc., in which it stated that the Blue Mountain Preservation Association (BMPA) took an appeal from Environmental Hearing Board Judge Labuskes' Adjudication affirming the issuance of the NPDES Permit to his client by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Aug. 25, 2011. It stated that BMPA has filed its brief. Alpine Rose and DEP has until March 12 to file their briefs. No argument date has been set as of yet.

The letter also stated that PennDOT recently issued the HOP and Supplemental HOPs for the project and have been recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Monroe County.

Supervisor Chairman/roadmaster Clair Borger said this was the first year he didn't have to buy additional salt for the roads and if there is no more snow in March/April, will probably not have to buy any for the start of winter later this year.

Supervisor vice Chairman Gretchen Gannon Pettit said the township has switched over its health insurance to PSATS, which will result in a big savings to the community.

Supervisor Gannon Pettit said that letters are being received by Eldred Township residents from FEMA, if they have been determined to be in a flood plain. She is trying to set up a public meeting for a representative from FEMA to come and talk to residents to explain flood insurance and if there is a need for it.

Resident Richard Zilmer asked if there was a hard start date for development of the Walter Mock Park and Supervisor vice Chairman Gannon Pettit said "no." He asked if there was a land development plan for the Mock Park and the supervisors replied there was.

Mr. Zilmer asked if the township cleans and sweeps the township roads and Supervisor Chairman/Roadmaster Borger replied "yes" probably to begin in two months.

Resident Tom Byrne asked if anything had been done about a change in mph for Church Road. He believes 55 mph on that road is too fast, especially if there is a driveway in and out for Mock Park.

Township solicitor Michael Kaspszyk explained that there are no mph signs on any Eldred Twp. roads which then allows a 55 mph speed limit. If one township road is posted at 25 mph, then all township roads would have to be posted at 25 mph.

"This would be a huge cost to the township," said Supervisor Chairman Borger.

Solicitor Kaspszyk explained that for any other speed limit request for like 35 or 45 mph, a road study by PennDOT would have to be done, at a sizable cost.

A resident asked if there was a township ordinance for unregistered vehicles, stating that he has seen several properties with up to 30-40 junk cars on them.